Collapsible Hutch

ABSTRACT

The invention described herein is the Collapsible Hutch. The Collapsible Hutch is a merchandising display that is intuitive to assemble, yet equally sturdy and aesthetically pleasing in use. The device ships flat for easier transport and is then assembled on site when needed. More preferably, the device can also be easily disassembled and re-used. The display is easy to manufacture and its design results in a minimum of wasted material during manufacture. The display is also capable of being assembled in such a manner as to create repeatable level shelves.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO GOVERNMENT FUNDING SOURCES

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

FIELDS OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure as detailed herein is in the technical field of

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Corrugated fiberboard (i.e., cardboard) is a well-known structural material commonly used for manufacturing storage boxes and the like. The low cost of the material, its structural qualities, and the ease with which it can be structured has resulted in an ever growing number of items manufactured from it. The use of corrugated fiberboard in merchandising displays is well known and range from its use as a structural component in an advertising message to various support structures for display of merchandise for sale in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In general, these merchandising displays are box-like structures with bins or shelves sized to hold the merchandise for sale. The displays can be quite bulky and difficult to transport in their assembled state and hence are generally shipped flat and assembled at the point of use. The displays often consist of multiple components and, as these displays become ever more sophisticated, the degree of expertise and training necessary to assemble them increases accordingly.

What is currently needed is a merchandising display that is intuitive to assemble, yet equally sturdy and aesthetically pleasing in use. Preferably, the device ships flat for easier transport and is then assembled on site when needed. More preferably, the device can also be easily disassembled and re-used. Any such display should be easy to manufacture and its design should entail a minimum of wasted material during manufacture. More preferably the display should be able to assemble in such a manner as to create level shelves.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is simple to manufacture, minimizes material waste, is intuitive to assemble, and otherwise solves the aforementioned problems noted in the prior art.

It is an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive cardboard display device which is sturdy in construction and capable of supporting the weight of the articles of merchandise being exhibited while also assembling in repeatable and consistent manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide an attractive display device for displaying articles of merchandise thereon.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a box-like display device having display shelves to hold merchandise.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a display device with a substantially flat collapsed profile which is easily collapsed for transport and is reusable and can be stored and shipped efficiently and is easily and repeatedly assembled.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a merchandising display which does not require any particular degree of skill or training to assemble or disassemble in a repeatable fashion.

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings herein.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, which shows Perspective of the Shelf Support System.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, which shows Perspective of the Hutch Outer Shell.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, which shows Perspective view of attaching Shelf Support to Hutch Outer Shell.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, which shows Perspective of assembly of display stand.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, which shows Perspective of stand during assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, which shows bottom view of the assembled invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, which shows Bottom view during assembly of invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, which shows Perspective of the front of the assembled display.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, which shows perspective view of assembled stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more different inventions may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the inventions described herein, numerous alternative embodiments may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the inventions contained herein or the claims presented herein in any way. One or more of the inventions may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the inventions, and it should be appreciated that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the particular inventions. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the inventions may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Particular features of one or more of the inventions described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of one or more of the inventions. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments of one or more of the inventions nor a listing of features of one or more of the inventions that must be present in all embodiments.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more communication means or intermediaries, logical or physical.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components may be described to illustrate a wide variety of possible embodiments of one or more of the inventions and in order to more fully illustrate one or more aspects of the inventions. Similarly, although process steps, method steps, algorithms, or the like may be described in sequential order, such processes, methods, and algorithms may generally be configured to work in alternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in this patent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of described processes may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one or more of the invention(s), and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once per embodiment, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that they may only occur once each time a process, method, or algorithm is carried out or executed. Some steps may be omitted in some embodiments or some occurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a given embodiment or occurrence.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of more than one device or article.

The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features. Thus, other embodiments of one or more of the inventions need not include the device itself.

Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. Process descriptions or blocks in figures should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code that include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of embodiments of the present invention in which, for example, functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

The Collapsible Hutch comprises a Shelf Support (106) and a Hutch Outer Shell (210). Assembly of the Collapsible Hutch is accomplished by attaching the Shelf Support (106) to the Hutch Outer Shell (210).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention The Collapsible Hutch is manufactured from a group of materials consisting of paper, cardboard, fiberboard, pulpboard, corrugated board and the like. The present invention is directed to a collapsible shelving display hutch constructed of a pre-scored and pre-cut Shelf Support (106) and Hutch Outer Shell (210). The bank for same with excess material removed being shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Dashed lines in the panels indicate score or fold lines. Solid lines in the panels are indicative of cuts through the cardboard.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , which shows Perspective of the Shelf Support System.

The Shelf Support (106) comprises one or more Shelf Support Side Attachments (105) and one or more Shelf Support Systems (101). The purpose of the Shelf Support (106) is to provide structural support for the Hutch Outer Shell (210). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Shelf Support (106) is operably attached to the outside of the Hutch Outer Shell (210) via the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104). Additionally in a preferred embodiment of the invention the Shelf (203) is operably attached the Shelf Support (106) via connection of the Shelf Support Attachment Tab (202) and the Shelf Support Attachment Aperture. (103) In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Shelf Support (106) can be constructed out of a single piece of corrugated carboard, corrugated plastic or the like.

The Shelf Support Side Attachment (105) is positioned on the outside edges of the Shelf Support (106). The purpose of the Shelf Support Side Attachment (105) is to provide a stabilizing force in the horizontal dimension for the Shelf Support (106) as it is inserted into the Hutch Outer Shell (210). If the Shelf Support Side Attachment (105) is absent then the only horizontal stabilizing force that is provided is from the thickness of the Shelf Support (106). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Shelf Support Side Attachment (105) has a horizontal dimension that is approximately half the width of the Side Panel (204).

The Shelf Support System (101) comprises a Shelf Support Attachment Aperture (103), a Shelf Support Shelf Flap, and one or more Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104). The purpose of the Shelf Support System (101) is to provide structural support for the Hutch Outer Shell (210). In one embodiment of the invention the Shelf Support System (101) provides structural support for one or more Shelfs (203).

The purpose of the Shelf Support Attachment Aperture (103) is to provide an aperture for the Shelf Support Attachment Tab (202) to insert. If the Shelf Support Attachment Aperture (103) is absent then the Shelf Support Attachment Tab (202) is connected to the Shelf Support (106) via glue or other the like. The Shelf Support Attachment Aperture (103) has a horizontal dimension that is less than the horizontal dimension of the Shelf (203). The vertical dimension of the Shelf Support Attachment Aperture (103) can be calculated based on the thickness of the Hutch Outer Shell (210), where the vertical dimension of the Shelf Support (106) Attachment Aperture is slightly larger than the thickness of the Hutch Outer Shell (210).

The purpose of the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104) is to provide a connecting and supporting structure which can attach and secure the Shelf Support (106) to the Hutch Outer Shell (210) The Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104) is inserted and operably connected with the Shelf Support Attachment Flap Aperture (209). In this manner the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104) is then glued or otherwise connected and secured to the Hutch Outer Shell (210). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the horizontal dimension of the Shelf Support Flap (102) is slightly smaller than the horizontal dimension of the Shelf Support Attachment Flap Aperture (209). In a preferred embodiment of the invention prior to use and during the assembly of the invention the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104) is passed through the Shelf Support Attachment Flap Aperture (209). After the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104) is passed through the Shelf Support Attachment Flap Aperture (209) the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104) is then secured via glue or similar attachment means to the Hutch Outer Shell (210). The purpose of the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104) is to securely connect the Shelf Support System (101) to the Hutch Outer Shell (210).

The Shelf Support Flap (102) provides support for the Shelf (203). It has a preferred horizontal dimension that is slightly smaller than the horizontal dimension of the Shelf (203). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Shelf Support Flap (102) has a vertical dimension that is slightly smaller than the vertical dimension of the Shelf (203). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Shelf Support Flap (102) is shaped like a rectangle.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , which shows Perspective of the Hutch Outer Shell.

The Hutch Outer Shell (210) comprises one or more Panels and one or more Minor Flaps (301). The Hutch Outer Shell (210) is composed of a single piece of corrugated cardboard or the like.

The panels are comprised of a Back Panel (207), a Front Panel (208), an Interior Side Panel (206) and a Side Panel (204).

The Back Panel (207) further comprises one or more Shelf Support Attachment Flap Apertures (209). In a preferred embodiment of the inventio the horizontal dimension can be calculated based on the overall Size of the Collapsible Hutch and overall size limitations of retail guidelines. In a preferred embodiment of the inventio the horizontal dimension of the Back Panel (207) is the same as the Horizontal dimension of the Front Panel (208).

The Shelf Support Attachment Flap Aperture (209) is an aperture which allows and permits the Shelf Support Attachment Flap to pass through the Shelf Support Attachment Flap Aperture (209). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Shelf Support Attachment Flap Aperture (209) has a horizontal dimension which is slightly larger than the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104).

The Front Panel (208) comprises one or more Shelfs (203). The Front Panel (208) is permanently connected to the Interior Side Panel (206) along one of its vertical edges. The Front Panel (208) is permanently connected to the Side Panel (204) along one of its vertical edges. The Interior Side Panel (206) and the Side Panel (204) are connected on edges which are opposite to each other. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Front Panel (208) has a horizontal dimension that is equal to the horizontal dimension of the Front Panel (208).

The Shelf (203) comprises a Shelf Support Attachment Tab (202) and a Shelf Base (201).

The purpose of the Shelf Support Attachment Tab (202) is to secure the Shelf (203) when it is moved into the plane that is perpendicular to the Panels. In a use of the invention the Shelf Support Attachment Tab (202) is passed through the Shelf Support Attachment Aperture (103). When it is placed into this position it secures the Shelf (203) to the Shelf Support System (101).

In an embodiment of the invention prior to the use of the invention the Shelf Base (201) is folded in towards the interior of the Hutch Outer Shell (210). In this manner the Shelf Base (201) is positioned on a plane that is perpendicular to the Panels. This positioning enables the creation of a flat surface on which to set objects. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Shelf (203) has a vertical dimension that is equal to or less than the horizontal dimensions of the Side Panels (204) horizontal dimension of either the Interior Side Panel (206) or the Side Panel (204).

The Interior Side Panel (206) is permanently connected on one of its vertical edges to the Back Panel (207) and on the other Vertical Edge is permanently connected to the Front Panel (208).

The Side Panel (204) further comprises a Side Panel Attachment Flap (205). The Side Panel (204) is permanently connected to the Front Panel (208) along one of its vertical edges.

The Side Panel Attachment Flap (205) is used to connect the Side Panel (204) to the Back Panel (207). The Side Panel Attachment Flap (205) is connected to the Back Panel (207) via glue or other attachment means. When this connection is made the other panels are able to form a rectangular shape.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , which shows Perspective view of attaching Shelf Support to Hutch Outer Shell.

The Minor Flaps (301) are positioned along the bottom facing vertical edge of the panels. The purpose of the Minor Flaps (301) is to provide support and structural integrity to the Hutch Outer Shell (210).

As can be seen from this view in a preferred embodiment of the invention the Shelf Support (206) is attached to the Hutch Outer Shell (210) and positioned on the inside of the Hutch Outer Shell (210) prior to the attachment of the Side Panel Attachment Flap (205) to the surface of Shelf Support (206). In this manner the Shelf Support (206) is positioned and attached to the inside of the Hutch Outer Shell (210).

Referring now to FIG. 4 , which shows Perspective of assembly of display stand.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention after insertion through the Shelf Support Attachment Aperture (103) the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104) can be glued or otherwise attached to the outside surface of the Hutch Outer Shell (210).

Referring now to FIG. 5 , which shows Perspective of stand during assembly.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Side Panel Attachment Flap (205) is glued to the backside of the Back Panel (207). In this manner the shape of the Hutch Outer Shell (210) is formed into a box with the Shelf Support (106) remaining on the inside and attached via the Shelf Support Attachment Flap (104). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the attachment of the Shelf Support (106) is accomplished in such a manner that prior to the fully assembly and erection of the Collapsible Hutch the bottom edge of the Shelf Support (106) protrudes and is not fully located within the Hutch Outer Shell (210). The purpose of this protrusion is so that during the final erection and completion of the Collapsible Hutch the Shelf Support (106) is pushed up into the inside of the Hutch Outer Shell (210). The purpose of the Shelf Support (106) being pushed up as opposed to being pushed down and loaded from the top is so that the Shelfs (203) can be pre-attached to the Shelf Support (106) and are moved into position at the same time as the Shelf Support (106). This arrangement leads to a faster assembly and a structure in which one or more Shelfs (203) are moved into the correct position simultaneously.

Referring now to FIG. 6 , which shows bottom view of the assembled invention.

As can bee seen in this figure assembly of the Collapsible Hutch requires that the Minor Flaps (301) are folded along the perforated lines inwards towards the interior of the Collapsible Hutch. In this manner the Minor Flaps (301) provide additional structural support for the Collapsible Hutch and ensure that the Shelf Support (106) stays firmly positioned within the interior of the Hutch Outer Shell (210).

Referring now to FIG. 7 , which shows Bottom view during assembly of invention.

This Figure indicates the stage in which the Shelf Support (106) has been attached to the Hutch Outer Shell (210) but has not yet been slid into position within the interior of the Hutch Outer Shell (210).

Referring now to FIG. 8 , which shows Perspective of the front of the assembled display.

This figure shows a completed version of the erected Collapsible Hutch as described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 9 , which shows perspective view of assembled stand.

This figure shows a completed version of the erected Collapsible Hutch as described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A Collapsible Hutch apparatus comprising: a. a Shelf Support wherein the Shelf Support further comprises a i. Shelf Support Side Attachment; and ii. a shelf Support System; and b. a Hutch Outer Shell wherein the Hutch Outer Shell further comprises: i. one or more Panels and ii. one or more Minor Flaps.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the Shelf Support System Further Comprises: a. one or more Shelf Support Attachment Apertures; b. one or more Shelf Support Flaps which are operably connected to at least one Shelf Support Attachment Aperture.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the Panels further comprises: a. a Back Panel; b. a Front Panel; c. an Interior Side Panel; and d. a Side Panel.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the Back Panel further comprises a Shelf Support Attachment Flap Aperture.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the Side Panel further comprises a Side Panel Attachment Flap.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the Front Panel further comprises one or more Shelfs.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the Shelf further comprises: a. a Shelf Support Attachment Tab; and b. a Shelf Base.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the Shelf Support is attached to the Hutch Outer Shell and partially protrudes and is not fully located within the Hutch Outer Shell prior to the erection of the Collapsible Hutch.
 9. A Collapsible Hutch apparatus comprising: a. a Hutch Outer Shell wherein the Hutch Outer Shell further comprises: i. one or more Panels wherein the panels further comprise:
 1. a Back Panel wherein the Back Panel further comprises a Shelf Support Attachment Flap Aperture;
 2. a Front Panel wherein the Front Panel further comprises one or more Shelfs wherein each Shelf further comprises: a. a Shelf Support Attachment Tab; and b. a Shelf Base a Shelf Support Attachment Tab; and
 3. a Shelf Base;
 4. an Interior Side Panel; and
 5. a Side Panel wherein the Side Panel Further Comprises a Side Panel Attachment Flap; and ii. one or more Minor Flaps; b. a Shelf Support wherein the Shelf Support is attached to the Hutch Outer Shell and partially protrudes and is not fully located within the Hutch Outer Shell prior to the erection of the Collapsible Hutch and further wherein the Shelf Support further comprises a i. Shelf Support Side Attachment wherein the Shelf Support Side Attachment further comprises:
 1. one or more Shelf Support Attachment Apertures;
 2. one or more Shelf Support Flaps which are operably connected to at least one Shelf Support Attachment Aperture; and ii. a shelf Support System. 